Delissea

This very rare plant is now extinct in the wild and is endemic only to Kauai. This endemic genus has 9 species, of which 7 are extinct and of the 2 extant, one exists on Kauai while the other is on Oahu. Delissea is one of 6 genera (5 endemic) and around 125 endemic species which are collectively known as the Hawaiian Lobeliads. This incredible example of adaptive radiation is genetically traced to a single colonization 13+ million years ago (Givnish, Sytsma, et. al., Proc. Biol. Sci., Feb 7, 2009;276).

This very rare plant is now extinct in the wild and is endemic only to Kauai. This endemic genus has 9 species, of which 7 are extinct and of the 2 extant, one exists on Kauai while the other is on Oahu. Delissea is one of 6 genera (5 endemic) and around 125 endemic species which are collectively known as the Hawaiian Lobeliads. This incredible example of adaptive radiation is genetically traced to a single colonization 13+ million years ago (Givnish, Sytsma, et. al., Proc. Biol. Sci., Feb 7, 2009;276).

This very rare plant is now extinct in the wild and is endemic only to Kauai. Note dentate to surrulate leaf margins.

This very rare plant is now extinct in the wild and is endemic only to Kauai. Note dentate to surrulate leaf margins and dark purple globose berries.

This very rare plant is now extinct in the wild and is endemic only to Kauai. Note dentate to surrulate leaf margins.

This very rare plant is now extinct in the wild and is endemic only to Kauai. Note pale violet corolla.

This very rare plant is now extinct in the wild and is endemic only to Kauai. Note pale violet corolla, staminal column glabrous and anthers pubescent at base.

This very rare plant is now extinct in the wild and is endemic only to Kauai. Note greenish white to pale violet corollas.

This very rare plant is now extinct in the wild and is endemic only to Kauai. Apparently, the last wild population was eaten by goats. Note greenish white to pale violet corollas.

This very rare plant is now extinct in the wild and is endemic only to Kauai. Apparently, the last wild population was eaten by goats. Note greenish white to pale violet corollas.

This very rare plant is now extinct in the wild and is endemic only to Kauai. Apparently, the last wild population was eaten by goats. Note globose, dark purple when ripe berries.

This very rare plant is now extinct in the wild and is endemic only to Kauai. Apparently, the last wild population was eaten by goats. Note globose, dark purple (when ripe) berries.